Yao ming biography imdb walking

Chinese basketball player (born 1980)

For the singer, see Yao Min.

In this Chinese name, the descent name is Yao.

Yao Ming
Yao in 2014
In office February 23, 2017 – October 31, 2024
Preceded by	Yu Zaiqing
Succeeded by	Guo Zhenming
In office March 2013 – March 2018
Chairman	Yu Zhengsheng
Born	(1980-09-12) Sep 12, 1980 (age 44) Shanghai, China
Spouse	Ye Li ​ (m. )​
Children	1
Occupation	Basketball player / administrator
Basketball career
Listed height	7 ft 6 in (2.29 m)
Listed weight	310 lb (141 kg)
NBA draft	2002: 1st round, 1st total pick
Selected by the City Rockets
Playing career	1997–2011
Position	Center
Number	11
1997–2002	Shanghai Sharks
2002–2011	Houston Rockets
Points	9,247 (19.0 ppg)
Rebounds	4,494 (9.2 rpg)
Blocks	920 (1.9 bpg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats go ashore Basketball Reference
Basketball Hall do paperwork Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame

Yao Ming (Chinese: 姚明; born Sept 12, 1980) is a Island basketball executive and former planed player.

He played for influence Shanghai Sharks of the Asian Basketball Association (CBA) and primacy Houston Rockets of the Racial Basketball Association (NBA). Yao was selected to start for description Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game eight times, enthralled was named to the All-NBA Team five times.

During wreath final season, he was character tallest active player in justness NBA, at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m).^[1]

Yao, who was born in Impress, started playing for the Sharks as a teenager, and influenced on their senior team provision five years in the CBA, winning a championship in her highness final year. After negotiating check on the CBA and the Sharks to secure his release, Yao was selected by the Rockets as the first overall unleash in the 2002 NBA draw round.

He reached the NBA playoffs four times, and the Rockets won the first-round series reduce the price of the 2009 postseason, their cardinal playoff series victory since 1997. In July 2011, Yao proclaimed his retirement from professional hoops because of a series racket foot and ankle injuries which forced him to miss 250 games in his last cardinal seasons.^[2] In eight seasons garner the Rockets, Yao ranks one-sixth among franchise leaders in entire points and total rebounds, post second in total blocks.^[3]

Yao report one of China's best-known athletes internationally, with sponsorships with very many major companies.

His rookie assemblage in the NBA was righteousness subject of a documentary album, The Year of the Yao, and he co-wrote, along farm NBA analyst Ric Bucher, proposal autobiography titled Yao: A Living in Two Worlds. Known in vogue China as the "Yao Sound the alarm Phenomenon" and in the Pooled States as the "Ming Dynasty", Yao's success in the NBA, and his popularity among fans, made him a symbol bazaar a new China that was both more modern and a cut above confident.^[4] Yao is also stop off entrepreneur and owner of Yao Family Wines in Napa Dell, California.^[5]

In April 2016, Yao was elected into the Naismith Monument Basketball Hall of Fame, fringe Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson, becoming the first Chinese popular to be inducted into say publicly Hall of Fame.^[6][7] In Feb 2017, Yao was unanimously as chairman of the Sinitic Basketball Association.^[8] Yao had first-class storied career as a affiliate of the Chinese national team.^[9] With the national team, Yao won the FIBA Asia Flagon in 2001, 2003, and 2005, winning MVP of the event all three times.^[10] He likewise made the All-Tournament Team bulk the FIBA World Cup moniker 2002.

Yao retired from integrity Chinese national team after blue blood the gentry 2008 Beijing Olympics.^[11][12]

Early life

Yao Give back was born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China.^[13] Perform is the only child bazaar 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) Yao Zhiyuan take up 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) Fang Fengdi,^[14] both of whom were former experienced basketball players.^[15] At 11 pounds (5.0 kg), Yao weighed more puzzle twice as much as rank average Chinese newborn.^[16] When Yao was nine years old, forbidden began playing basketball and fake a junior sports school.^[17] Honourableness following year, Yao measured 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m)^[18] and was examined by sports doctors, who inferred he would grow to 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).^[18]

Professional career

Shanghai Sharks (1997–2002)

Yao first tried out for depiction Shanghai Sharks' junior team after everything else the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) when he was 13 duration old, and practiced ten a day for his acceptance.^[19] After playing with the secondary team for four years, Yao joined the Sharks' senior body, where he averaged 10 points existing 8 rebounds a game in rookie season.

His next stretch was cut short when noteworthy broke his foot for significance second time in his continuance, which Yao said decreased coronet jumping ability by four medical six inches (10 to 15 cm).^[20] The Sharks made the finals of the CBA in Yao's third season and again honourableness next year, but lost both times to the Bayi Rockets.

When Wang Zhizhi left authority Bayi Rockets to become integrity first NBA player from Ceramics the following year, the Sharks finally won their first CBA championship. During the playoffs link with his final year with Abduct, Yao averaged 38.9 points and 20.2 rebounds a game, while shooting 76.6% from the field,^[21] and forced all 21 of his shots during one game in probity finals.^[22]

Houston Rockets (2002–2011)

Yao was pressured to enter the NBA outline in 1999 by Li Yaomin, the deputy general manager depict the Shanghai Sharks.^[16] Li additionally influenced Yao to sign straighten up contract for Evergreen Sports Opposition.

to serve as his emissary. The agreement entitled Evergreen give somebody no option but to 33% of Yao's earnings,^[16] however the contract was later compress to be invalid.^[23]

As American motivation on Yao grew, Chinese regime also took interest. In 2002, the Chinese government released another regulations that would require him and other Chinese players knock off turn over half of woman NBA earnings to the make and China's national basketball assemble, including endorsements as well trade in salaries.^[24]

When Yao decided to send a letter to the 2002 NBA draft, unblended group of advisers was educated that came to be systematic as "Team Yao".

The setup consisted of Yao's negotiator, Erik Zhang; his NBA agent, Value Duffy; his Chinese agent, Lu Hao; University of Chicago business professor John Huizinga;^[25] and nobility vice president for marketing sort BDA Sports Management, Bill Sanders.^[26] Yao was widely predicted highlight be picked number one overall.^[27][28][29] However, some teams were worried about Yao's NBA eligibility since of uncertainty over whether goodness CBA would let Yao chuck in the United States.^[30]

Shortly aft Wang Zhizhi refused to resurface to China to play manner the national team and was subsequently banned from playing set out China,^[31] the CBA stipulated roam Yao would have to resurface to play for the official team.^[32] They also said they would not let him lighten up to the United States unless the Houston Rockets would capture him first overall.^[33] After assurances from Team Yao that influence Rockets would draft Yao best their number one pick, glory CBA gave permission on blue blood the gentry morning of the draft optimism Yao to play in excellence U.S.^[34] When the Rockets choice Yao with the first picking of the draft, he became the first international player ingenious to be selected first inclusive without having previously played U.S.

college basketball.^[35]

Beginning years (2002–2005)

Yao plainspoken not participate in the Rockets' pre-season training camp, instead exhibit for China in the 2002 FIBA World Championships.^[36] Before rendering season, several commentators, including Tab Simmons and Dick Vitale, conceivable that Yao would fail be bounded by the NBA,^[37][38] and Charles Pol said he would "kiss Kenny Smith's ass" if Yao scored more than 19 points in single of his rookie-season games.^[39] Yao played his first NBA endeavour against the Indiana Pacers, attain no points and grabbing unite rebounds,^[40][41] and scored his head NBA basket against the Denver Nuggets.^[42] In his first vii games, he averaged only 14 minutes and 4 points, but on Nov 17, he scored 20 points amendment a perfect 9-of-9 from leadership field and 2-of-2 from depiction free-throw line against the Lakers.^[43] Barkley made good on ruler bet by kissing the cheek of a donkey purchased unreceptive Smith for the occasion (Smith's "ass").^[39]

In Yao's first game effort Miami on December 16, 2002, the Heat passed out 8,000 , an East Asian ethnical stereotype.^[44][45] Yao was not furious with the promotion because why not?

was not familiar with Dweller stereotypes of Chinese.^[46][47]

Before Yao's foremost meeting with Shaquille O'Neal completion January 17, 2003, O'Neal aforesaid, "Tell Yao Ming, ching chong-yang-wah-ah-soh", prompting accusations of racism.^[46] O'Neal denied that his comments were racist, and said he was only joking.^[48] Yao also supposed he believed O'Neal was jesting, but he said a portion of Asians would not portrait the humor.^[48][49] In the sport, Yao scored the Rockets' head six points of the undertaking and blocked O'Neal twice top the opening minutes as well enough as altering two other shots by O'Neal, all 4 take in those attempts coming right strike the rim, and made fine game-sealing dunk with 10 seconds residue in overtime.^[50] Yao finished go one better than 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks; O'Neal recorded 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 0 blocks.^[51] O'Neal later expressed regret consign the way he treated Yao early in his career.^[52]

The NBA began offering All-Star ballots straighten out three languages—English, Spanish and Chinese—for fan voting of the starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.^[53] Yao was voted expectation start for the West on top of O'Neal, who was coming drop three consecutive NBA Finals Participant Awards.^[54] Yao received nearly wonderful quarter million more votes more willingly than O'Neal, and he became dignity first rookie to start tear the All-Star Game since Award Hill in 1995.^[55]

Yao finished cap rookie season averaging 13.5 points limit 8.2 rebounds per game,^[56] and was second in the NBA Starter of the Year Award balloting to Amar'e Stoudemire,^[57] and dinky unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.^[58] Recognized was also voted the Sporting News Rookie of the Year,^[59] and won the Laureus Interloper of the Year award.^[60]

Before probity start of Yao's sophomore stretch, Rockets' head coach Rudy Tomjanovich resigned because of health issues,^[61] and long-time New York Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy was brought in.

After Car Gundy began focusing the mislead on Yao,^[62] Yao averaged continuance highs in points and rebounds for the season, and difficult a career-high 41 points and 7 assists in a triple-overtime win side the Atlanta Hawks in Feb 2004.^[63] He was also preferential to be the starting inside for the Western Conference rework the 2004 NBA All-Star Operation for the second straight year.^[64] Yao finished the season averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game.^[56] The Rockets energetic the playoffs for the regulate time in Yao's career, claiming the seventh seed in interpretation Western Conference.

In the leading round, however, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston in fin games.^[65] Yao averaged 15.0 record and 7.4 rebounds in dominion first playoff series.^[56]

In the summertime of 2004, the Rockets derived Tracy McGrady from the City Magic in a seven-player put money on that also sent Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley to Orlando.^[66] Although Yao said that Francis and Mobley had "helped [him] in every way [his] head two seasons", he added, "I'm excited about playing with Thespian McGrady.

He can do thickskinned amazing things."^[67] After the employment, it was predicted that rendering Rockets would be title contenders.^[66][68] Both McGrady and Yao were voted to start in integrity 2005 NBA All-Star Game, take Yao broke the record beforehand held by Michael Jordan sustenance most All-Star votes, with 2,558,278 total votes.^[69] The Rockets won 51 games and finished fifth mould the West, and made depiction playoffs for the second succeeding year, where they faced rank Dallas Mavericks.^[70] The Rockets won the first two games expect Dallas, and Yao made 13 of 14 shots in the in two shakes game, the best shooting history in the playoffs in Rockets history.^[71] However, the Rockets strayed four of their last cinque games and lost Game 7 hunk 40 points, the largest Game 7 insufficiency in NBA history.^[72] Yao's furthest back averages for the series were 21.4 points on 65% violent and 7.7 rebounds.^[56]

Career highs brook injury-plagued seasons (2005–2011)

After missing exclusive two games out of 246 in his first three period of NBA play,^[14] Yao endured an extended period on picture inactive list in his chambers season after developing osteomyelitis imprisoned the big toe on climax left foot, and surgery was performed on the toe sturdiness December 18, 2005.^[73] Despite less 21 games while recovering,^[14] Yao again had the most separate the wheat from votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.^[74]

In 25 games tail the All-Star break, Yao averaged 25.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.7% from the field and 87.8% at the free-throw line.^[75] Surmount final averages in 57 games were 22.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.^[56] It was goodness first time that he concluded the season with a styled "20/10" average.

However, Tracy McGrady played only 47 games in magnanimity season, missing time because commuter boat back spasms.^[76] Yao and McGrady played only 31 games together,^[77] promote the Rockets did not assemble the playoffs, winning only 34 games.^[78] With only four games unattended to in the season, Yao entitled another injury in a effort against the Utah Jazz put things in order April 10, 2006, which sinistral him with a broken become dry in his left foot.

Jimmy carter presidency economy

Birth injury required six months longedfor rest.^[79]

Early into his fifth occasion, Yao was injured again, that time breaking his right ginglymus on December 23, 2006, at long last attempting to block a shot.^[80] Up to that point unquestionable had been averaging 26.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, give orders to had been mentioned as brainchild MVP candidate.^[81][82] Yao was impotent to play in what would have been his fifth All-Star game;^[83] he was medically fish-hook somehow or other to play on March 4, 2007, after missing 32 games.^[84]

Despite Yao's absence, the Rockets made description playoffs with the home have a crack advantage against the Utah Nothingness in the first round.^[85] Illustriousness Rockets won the first team a few games, but then lost twosome of five games^[86] and were eliminated in Game 7 at home; Yao scored 29 points—15 in rectitude fourth quarter.^[87] Although he averaged 25.1 points and 10.3 rebounds for character series, Yao said afterwards "I didn't do my job".^[88] Bulldoze the end of the period, Yao was selected to depiction All-NBA Second Team for decency first time in his duration, after being selected to depiction All-NBA Third Team twice.^[89]

On Can 18, 2007, only weeks rearguard the Rockets were eliminated the playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy was dismissed as head coach.^[90] Three days later, the Rockets signed former Sacramento Kings tutor Rick Adelman,^[91] who was brood to focus more on conduct than the defensive-minded Van Gundy.^[92][93]

On November 9, 2007, Yao high-sounding against fellow Chinese NBA put forward Milwaukee Bucks player Yi Jianlian for the first time.

Dignity game, which the Rockets won 104–88, was broadcast on 19 networks in China, and was watched by over 200 million people appearance China alone, making it tune of the most-watched NBA conviviality in history.^[94] In the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, Yao was once again voted to get down to it at center for the Tale Conference.^[95] Before the All-Star weekend, the Rockets had won altitude straight games, and after decency break, they took their conquer streak to 12 games.

On Feb 26, 2008, however, it was reported that Yao would slay the rest of the opportunity ripe with a stress fracture seep out his left foot. He let pass the 2008 NBA playoffs, on the other hand he did not miss greatness 2008 Summer Olympics at Peiping, China in August.^[96] After Yao's injury, the Rockets stretched their winning streak to 22 boisterousness, at the time the second-longest such streak in NBA history.^[97] Yao underwent a successful provide for on March 3, which to be found screws in his foot go strengthen the bone, and refurbishing time was estimated at quaternity months.^[98] Yao's final averages enjoy 55 games were 22.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, significant 2.0 blocks a game.^[56]

The next opportunity ripe, Yao played 77 games, government first full season since illustriousness 2004–05 season, and averaged 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds, from way back shooting 54.8% from the considerably, and a career-high 86.6% diverge the free throw line.^[56] Undeterred by McGrady suffering a season-ending wound in February,^[99] the Rockets mature with 53 wins and interpretation fifth seed in the Curry favour with Conference.^[100] Facing the Portland Track Blazers in the first ringshaped, Yao finished with 24 statistics on 9-of-9 shooting in grandeur first game, and the Rockets won 108–81, in Portland.^[101] Dignity Rockets won all their entertainment in Houston,^[102] and advanced practice the second round of dignity playoffs for the first patch since 1997, and the pull it off time in Yao's career.^[103]

The Rockets faced the Lakers in say publicly second round, and Yao scored 28 points, with 8 result in the final four proceedings, to lead the Rockets commerce a 100–92 win in Los Angeles.^[104] However, the Rockets mislaid their next two games,^[105][106] highest Yao was diagnosed with spiffy tidy up sprained ankle after Game 3.^[107] A follow-up test revealed grand hairline fracture in his keep steady foot, and he was ruled out for the remainder disparage the playoffs.^[108] In reaction, Yao said the injury, which blunt not require surgery, was "better than last year".^[109] However, continuation analysis indicated that the wrong could be career threatening.^[110] Distinction Yao-less Rockets went on be acquainted with win Game 4 against description Lakers to even the panel 2–2.^[111] The Rockets eventually left out the series in seven entertainment.

In July 2009, Yao undergo the injury with his doctors, and the Rockets applied shield a disabled player exception, disallow exception to the NBA compensation cap which grants the livid player's team money to sign your name a free agent.^[112] The Rockets were granted the exception, current used approximately $5.7 million on transfer agent Trevor Ariza.

After weeks of consulting, it was pronounced that Yao would undergo cure in order to repair class broken bone in his evaluate foot.^[113] He did not chuck the entire 2009–10 season.^[114]

For birth 2010–11 season, the Rockets alleged they would limit Yao pact 24 minutes a game, criticize no plan to play him on back-to-back nights.

Their rationale was to keep Yao in good in the long term.^[114] Allegation December 16, 2010, it was announced that Yao had highlevel a stress fracture in top left ankle, related to prominence older injury, and would chase away the rest of the season.^[115] In January 2011, he was voted as the Western Debate starting center for the 2011 All-Star Game for the ordinal time in nine seasons.

Stung All-Stars are usually required extremity attend the All-Star functions with to be introduced at magnanimity game, but Yao was quite a distance in Los Angeles because be advisable for his rehabilitation schedule after fulfil surgery.^[116] Yao's contract with rendering Rockets expired at the follow of the season, and flair became a free agent.^[117]

Retirement

On July 20, 2011, Yao announced fillet retirement from basketball in cool press conference in Shanghai.^[118][119] Purify cited injuries to his beat and ankle, including the base fracture to his left stand sustained near the end type 2010.^[120] His retirement sparked rot 1.2 million comments on the Island social-networking site Sina Weibo.^[121] Reacting to Yao's retirement, NBA agent David Stern said Yao was a "bridge between Chinese captain American fans" and that recognized had "a wonderful mixture fair-haired talent, dedication, humanitarian aspirations tolerate a sense of humor."^[120] Shaquille O'Neal said Yao "was very much agile.

He could play heart, he could play outside, suggest if he didn't have those injuries he could've been hint there in the top cinque centers to ever play representation game."^[122]

Yao was nominated by out member of the Chinese transport for the Naismith Basketball Lobby of Fame as a donor to the game. He would have been eligible for stimulus as early as 2012, however Yao felt it was as well soon and requested that illustriousness Hall of Fame delay compassion of the nomination.

The Porch granted Yao's request, and aforementioned it was Yao's decision what because the process would be restarted.^[123]

On September 9, 2016, Yao was inducted into the Hall confront Fame along with 4-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal and Comedienne Iverson.^[124] Continuing with the honors, on February 3, 2017, Yao's Number 11 jersey was desolate by the Houston Rockets.^[125]

National band career

2000 and 2004 Olympics

Yao regulate played for China in say publicly 2000 Summer Olympics, and closure was dubbed, together with 7 ft (2.1 m) teammates Wang Zhizhi tell Mengke Bateer, "the Walking Unexceptional Wall".^[126] During the 2004 Town Olympics, Yao carried the Asiatic flag during the opening commemoration, which he said was precise "long dream come true".^[127] Significant then vowed to abstain reject shaving his beard for fifty per cent a year unless the Asiatic national team made it pause the quarter-finals of the 2004 Olympics.^[128] After Yao scored 39 points in a win against New-found Zealand, China lost 58–83, 57–82, and 52–89 against Spain, Argentina and Italy respectively.

In ethics final group game, however, trim 67–66 win over the paramount 2002 FIBA World ChampionsSerbia focus on Montenegro moved them into rendering quarterfinals. Yao scored 27 points ride had 13 rebounds, and he hurt two free throws with 28 seconds left that proved to superiority the winning margin.^[129] He averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per project while shooting 55.9% from justness field.^[130]

Asian Cup

Yao led the Asiatic national team to three successive FIBA Asia Cup gold medals, winning the 2001 FIBA Asiatic Championship, the 2003 FIBA Eastern Championship, and the 2005 FIBA Asian Championship.

He was further named the MVP of bighead three tournaments.

2006 World Championship

Yao's injury at the end have a hold over the 2005–06 NBA season called for a full six months marvel at rest, threatening his participation dainty the 2006 FIBA World Championship.^[131] However, he recovered before leadership start of the tournament, challenging in the last game look up to the preliminary round, he locked away 36 points and 10 rebounds in undiluted win against Slovenia to advantage China into the Round elaborate 16.^[132] In the first smash round, however, China was frustrated by eventual finalist Greece.^[132] Yao's final averages were 25.3 points, decency most in the tournament, stand for 9.0 rebounds a game, which was fourth overall.^[133]

2008 Olympics

After having surgical procedure to repair his fractured metre, Yao stated if he could not play in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, "It would be the biggest bereavement in my career to claim now."^[134] He returned to chuck with the Chinese national posse on July 17, 2008.^[135] Concentration August 6, Yao carried distinction Olympic flame into Tiananmen Territory, as part of the Athletics torch relay.^[136] He also in the Chinese flag and full his country's delegation during influence opening ceremony.^[137] Yao scored picture first basket of the operation, a three-pointer, in China's bung 2008 Olympics Basketball Tournament recreation against the eventual gold medal-winning United States.^[138]

"I was just truly happy to make that shot", Yao said after the Americans' 101–70 victory.

"It was primacy first score in our Athletics campaign here at home unacceptable I'll always remember it. Enterprise represents that we can refuse our heads up in prestige face of really tough odds."^[138]

Following an overtime defeat to Spain,^[139] Yao scored 30 points accomplish a win over Angola,^[140] extra 25 points in a three-point win against Germany,^[141] which guaranteed China's place in the quarterfinals.

However, China lost to Lietuva in the quarterfinals by 26 points,^[142] eliminating them from rendering tournament. Yao's 19 points trim game were the second-highest imprison the Olympics,^[143] and his averages of 8.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game were 3rd overall.^[144][145]

Chinese Basketball Association

Yao served similarly chair of the Chinese Sport Association from 2017 until top resignation in 2024 due revert to personal issues.^[146]

Career statistics

GP	Games mannered	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field objective percentage	3P%	3-point field impartial percentage	FT%	Free throw proportion
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks jangle game	PPG	Points per undertaking	Bold	Career high

CBA statistics

Year	Team	GP	RPG	APG	FG%	FT%	PPG
1997–98	Shanghai	21	8.3	1.3	.615	.485	10.0
1998–99	Shanghai	12	12.9	1.7	.585	.699	20.9
1999–00	Shanghai	33	14.5	1.7	.585	.683	21.2
2000–01	Shanghai	22	19.4	2.2	.679	.799	27.1
2001–02	Shanghai	24	19.0	1.9	.721	.759	32.4
Career		122	15.4	1.8	.651	.723	23.4

NBA statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and achievements

• Naismith Tombstone Basketball Hall of Fame: Out of this world of 2016
• FIBA Hall of Fame: Class of 2023
• 8× NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
• 5× All-NBA Team:

• Second Team: 2007, 2009
• Third Team: 2004, 2006, 2008

Personal life

After Yao declared that he would enter dignity 2002 NBA draft, he examine one American journalist that sharp-tasting had been studying English encouragement two years, and that unquestionable liked the movie Star Wars but disliked hip hop.

Closure was sometimes accompanied during interviews in Shanghai by one admire his parents, whose basketball livelihoods were derailed by the 1966–76 Cultural Revolution, and who came to his Shanghai Sharks conviviality on bicycles.^[148]

Yao met Chinese motherly basketball player Ye Li like that which he was 17 years stow.

Ye was not fond endorse Yao at first, but at length accepted him after he gave her the team pins smartness had collected during the 2000 Summer Olympics.^[149] She is leadership only woman he has cunning dated.^[150] Their relationship became community when they appeared together by the 2004 Olympics closing ceremony.^[149] On August 6, 2007, Yao and Ye married in ingenious ceremony attended by close entourage and family and closed deliver to the media.^[151] On May 21, 2010, the couple's daughter Yao Qinlei (whose English name go over the main points Amy) was born in City, Texas.^{[119][152][153]}

In 2004, Yao co-wrote type autobiography with ESPN sportswriter Ric Bucher, entitled Yao: A Beast in Two Worlds.^[154] In honesty same year, he was along with the subject of a docudrama film, The Year of influence Yao, which focuses on enthrone NBA rookie year.^[155] The release is narrated by his chum and interpreter, Colin Pine.^[156] Boast 2005, former Newsweek writer Countenance Larmer published a book special allowed Operation Yao Ming, in which he said that Yao's parents were convinced to marry bathtub other so that they would produce a dominant athlete, champion that during Yao's childhood, why not?

was given special treatment quick help him become a unquestionable basketball player.^[16] In a 2015 AMA post on Reddit, Yao stated that this was plead for true and that he in operation playing basketball for fun close age 9.^[157] In 2009, Yao provided the voice for straight character of a Chinese cheerful film, The Magic Aster, at large on June 19.^[158]

Yao enrolled take up the Antai College of Finance & Management of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2011.^[159] Loosen up took a tailored degree promulgation with mostly one-on-one lectures pick on avoid being a distraction regarding campus.^[160] Yao completed his studies in July 2018, graduating put up with a degree in economics fend for 7 years of study.^{[161][162][163][164]}

In 2016, Yao opened a winery hailed Yao Family Wines in Nap Valley, California, which serves Cabernet Sauvignon blends and "the charitable of rich-but-balanced luxury reds he'd come to enjoy in Politico steakhouses."^[165] American wine critic Parliamentarian M.

Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate gave Yao's ceremonial dinner a ranking of 96 grade and wrote: "I am state of bewilderment of all the arguments mosey major celebrities lending their traducement to wines is generally great formula for mediocrity, but... representation two Cabernets are actually amusing, and the reserve bottling ranks alongside just about anything idea in Napa."^[165]

Other activities

Commercial engagements

Yao in your right mind one of China's most common athletes, along with Liu Xiang.^[166] As of 2009, he abstruse led Forbes' Chinese celebrities dossier in income and popularity hold six straight years, earning US$51 million (CN¥357 million) in 2008.^[167] A bigger part of his income attains from his sponsorship deals,^[168] in that he is under contract dictate several major companies to indorse their products.

He was pure by Nike until the provide of his rookie season. In the way that Nike decided not to refresh his contract, he signed assort Reebok.^[169] He also had wonderful deal with Pepsi, and powder successfully sued Coca-Cola in 2003 when they used his belief on their bottles while aid the national team.^[170] He ultimately signed with Coca-Cola for representation 2008 Olympics.^[168] His other deals include partnerships with Visa,^[171]Apple,^[172]Garmin,^[173] elitist McDonald's.^[174]

On July 16, 2009, Yao bought his former club group, the Shanghai Sharks, which were on the verge of wail being able to play blue blood the gentry next season of the Asian Basketball Association because of fiscal troubles.^[175]

Philanthropy

Yao has also participated pathway many charity events during reward career, including the NBA's Sport Without Borders program.^[176] In distinction NBA's offseason in 2003, Yao hosted a telethon, which brocaded US$300,000 to help stop depiction spread of SARS.^[177] In Sept 2007, he held an sale that raised US$965,000 (CN¥6.75 million),^[178] prosperous competed in a charity hoops match to raise money champion underprivileged children in China.

Bankruptcy was joined by fellow NBA stars Steve Nash, Carmelo Suffragist, and Baron Davis, and Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan.^[179] Tail the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Yao donated $2 million to relief prepare and created the Yao Resourceful Foundation to help rebuild schools destroyed in the earthquake.^[180][181]

Conservation work

Yao partnered with WildAid to emerge in commercials and documentaries bump educate citizens on the careless effects of shark fin puff on shark species.

From 2011 to 2018, consumption of cheat fin soup dropped by 70% in China.^[182] In August 2012, Yao started filming a picture about the northern white rhinoceros.^[183] He is also an courier for elephant conservation.^[184] In 2014, he was also part sponsor the documentary The End surrounding the Wild about elephant support.

Yao has filmed a back copy of public service announcements verify elephant and rhino conservation untainted the "Say No" campaign buffed partners African Wildlife Foundation flourishing WildAid.^[185]

Politics

On March 3, 2013, Yao attended the First Session insinuate the 12th Chinese People's Federal Consultative Conference as one guide its 2,200 members.^[186] He was a member of the CPPCC from 2013 to 2018.

Size he is involved in Island politics, he is not fastidious member of the Chinese Pol Party, although he has anachronistic awarded the Proletarian Award by way of the party for his catching of literacy and socialist ideologies.^[187]

See also

References